BJP changes stand on PM’s visit to CHOGM

Despite the BJP earlier claiming not to have any problem with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attending the CHOGM in Colombo, the party on Tuesday said it would be very difficult for it to support the visit “if the government does not clearly spell out the agenda it would pursue in the conference.”

Stating his party had not yet taken a formal position on the PM’s CHOGM participation BJP national general secretary, P Muralidhar Rao said, “what is the benefit you are going to get for India by attending CHOGM? What exactly is it (government) going to do? All these things have not become clear.”

A day earlier, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu had said, “Let the parties supporting the UPA government settle the issue. If the government consults us, we will respond. The BJP’s point is that the government should impress upon Sri Lanka to take care of Tamils, respect the 13th amendment and implement it in letter and spirit.”

On September 26, when BJP prime minister candidate Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Tiruchi, he had avoided talking about the Sri Lankan Tamils but raised concern about attacks on Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan Navy.